How to Make Your Own Hula Hoops

A few hoops I have made, they got a bit scratched up.

This was one of the best decisions I made. I already knew I was going to want to own every hoop there is, but my bank account didn’t agree. In my previous post, I mentioned that I have made my own hula hoops before. It has saved me so much money, and brought out more creativity than I thought I had. It is also nice because you can make a hula hoop in just 8 minutes! Rather than wait 8 days for your hoop to be made and shipped to you. Unless you are getting your hoop taped, that takes a bit more time, frustration and patience. A few years ago when I started, I saw a post a girl made saying she found a whole bulk of Polypropylene tubing at Home Depot, and connectors and made her own hoops. From there, I googled tips and pointers on how to make my own! The holidays are coming up, and maybe you want to treat your best friend, family members, kids, donate to children in need, or treat yourself with a new hoop, but still save money, well here you go!

Here’s my, “How to” make hoops!

1. Purchasing the supplies: 

Go to your local hardware store, preferably Home Depot, Lowes, or anything similar, and go near the wood and tubing section (where I found it at both stores), or just ask an associate where the polypropylene tubing is. Along with a few of these connectors (only 50 cents!), they do not allow your hoop to collapse but they work great! I bought to 100 ft. black ¾ tubing. Just keep in mind it was a bit more heavy than other tubing, but it is really durable. The nice thing about these hoops being a bit more heavy, it is easier to learn numerous tricks with a heavier hoop and it is better to use if you are working out! 

*** Before you start this next step, get a medium to large pot of water filled up a little over halfway and start boiling it!***

2. Cut the hoop & put together:
 Once you have all of your materials, it is time to cut the hoop down to the size you want. I literally used these mini lawn clippers and they work great! You’ll want a measuring stick in case you need a specific size. Unravel some of the hoop and pretend to put it together as if it is finished and hold it in front of you, floor/ touching toes and to the height you want it. Once you know the size you want, mark it with a pen, or hold your hand in place and carefully cut that part with the clippers. I sometimes have to end up cutting more off, and that’s okay if you do!

3. Next, warming up the hoop and add the connector!:
I suggest holding one end of the hoop in the boiling water for about a minute and a half to two minutes. You want at least 4 to 6 inches of the hoop to be in the boiling water. Once you reached the time, quickly take the hoop out and put one side of the connector in and push the connector in until half of the connector is in. I usually push the connector in by pushing it into the floor and that has worked best for me. Don’t worry if you didn’t get it perfectly in, I’ve messed up too. Put the other side of the hoop in the boiling water, once you hit the time, push the connector into that side.

If you are using an already pre-made collapsible connector, or making the connector, follow this video that I used! I haven’t yet made a hoop with a collapsible connector surprisingly.

4. Cover the connector:

Cover the connection with black electrical tape by cutting one small 3 inch piece of tape to wrap around the connection point. This is just to cover the connecting point with black tape, the same color as the black pipe.

If you wish to leave your hoop the way it is, you are done!! But, if you want to add tape to make it 

look pretty, follow the next few steps!

5. Tape: 
Tape the hoop with gaffer’s tape of multiple colors. Colorado hoops has several types of tape for purchase, or even Walmart or a craft store you can find duct tape at. Many people use two types of tape or more, one that is cloth, for the hoop to have better grip, and one glitter or shiny tape. Here’s a video to explain how to tape your hoop! This part can be very frustrating, time consuming, and lots of patience, but your hoop will look pretty! If you still want the thin gaffer’s for a better grip, always use the cloth tape last. Watch this video to give you an idea of how to tape it! The grip tape can be as spaced out as you like or however much you desire! You can add a clear, protective tape over your tape so it doesn’t scratch as much.   

 Now you’re done and have a brand new hoop!! Enjoy <3

Tips on buying tubing:

They sell the tubing in bulks of 50 ft. to 200 ft. (around $18 to $25 for the whole bulk) in either black or white tubing. The only diameters that were available was, ¾ and ½ inch tubing. However, if you are looking for 5/8 tubing or colored tubing, Colorado Hula Hoops, on Etsy offers a HUGE deal and wide selection of 2 for one price, 30 ft. to 100 ft. bulks of colored tubing, along with all other tools and supplies needed to make your own hoops. They also include pivots and pre-made collapsible connectors for purchase too.

Tips on measuring out your hula hoop to the size you want:

If you are not sure what size to make the hula hoop, you want to start off with the outside of the hoop coming up right up to your belly button, if you feel like that may be too big, pick a size in between your belly button and the start of your leg.

Message me for any questions! <3